AN award scheme designed to promote women in business will be inaugurated in the region next month.

The first North-East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards will reward female business achievers in five categories.

Apart from the overall North-East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, prizes will be given for the Best Young Woman Entrepreur, aged 16-25, Most Innovative Idea, Best Supporter of Women's Business, and Woman Social Entrepreneur.

The award scheme is part of the Women Into the Network (Win) initiative, launched by the Foundation for Small and Medium Enterprise Development, at Durham University.

Dinah Bennett, Win project leader, said: "Our research shows there are many women out there who want to start, or are already running their own businesses, and who want to be put in touch with the right network for them."

Win, backed by the European Regional Development Fund, is keen to hear from women wanting to start out in business.

The awards will be presented on Friday, November 17, at a ceremony in Durham.

To nominate someone or for further information, contact Win on 0191-374 1239.